“While I intend to be a partner with the Suns on the many great things they do for the city, it is not in Phoenix's best interest to invest in an arena," she said Nov. 8.

Taxpayers get hosed if the deal passes

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You may not believe the grand total to build stadiums for Arizona's four professional sports teams (hint: it's seven figures).
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Since then, the City Council has met privately twice to discuss an arena proposal. It’s unclear whether the votes are yet there to approve the project. Given that acting Mayor Thelda Williams' council seat was not filled when Greg Stanton resigned as mayor, it would only take four votes to kill the deal.

What is clear: taxpayers are about to get hosed if this deal goes through.

By law, the city must get permission from voters to build a new arena. But plunking down $150 million to “refurbish” an existing arena?

No public approval needed — at least, as far as city leaders see it.

City Manager Ed Zuercher, who I’m told is pushing the plan along with acting Mayor Thelda Williams, declined to comment, saying the negotiations are confidential.

But others have told me that the deal is now on track to be finished before year's end, to avoid becoming an issue in the mayoral runoff election.

Is this what voters wanted?

Councilman Sal DiCiccio said he thinks the city can go forward because the voter-approved ordinance says only that public approval is needed before building a new sports facility.